NURS 6540 Advanced Practice Care of Frail
Elders Final Exam 2026/2027 | Walden
University | Latest Comprehensive Practice
Questions & Answers
Questions 1–25: Frailty, Aging, and Comprehensive Assessment
1. Which finding most strongly suggests frailty in an older adult?
A. Stable weight and normal gait
B. Independent performance of all activities
C. Unintentional weight loss, weakness, and reduced physical activity
D. Mild presbyopia
2. Which assessment is most appropriate for evaluating an older adult's functional
status?
A. Serum sodium
B. Activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living
C. Chest circumference
D. Visual acuity alone
3. Which activity is considered an activity of daily living (ADL)?
,A. Managing finances
B. Using public transportation
C. Shopping for groceries
D. Bathing independently
4. Which activity is an instrumental activity of daily living (IADL)?
A. Eating
B. Toileting
C. Managing medications
D. Transferring from bed to chair
5. An older adult reports difficulty rising from a chair without using the arms. What
does this finding most directly suggest?
A. Normal aging only
B. Lower-extremity weakness and increased fall risk
C. Improved mobility
D. Hyperreflexia
6. Which intervention is most appropriate for preventing functional decline in a frail
older adult?
A. Prolonged bed rest
B. Limiting ambulation
C. Individualized strength and balance exercise
D. Avoiding assistive devices
7. Which characteristic is associated with physiologic frailty?
,A. Increased muscle mass
B. Increased physiologic reserve
C. Reduced ability to recover from physiologic stress
D. Improved immune response
8. Which finding should prompt evaluation for possible malnutrition?
A. Stable weight for several years
B. Unintentional weight loss and decreased appetite
C. Increased muscle strength
D. Increased food intake
9. Which screening approach is particularly useful when assessing an older adult for
cognitive impairment?
A. Pulse oximetry
B. A validated cognitive screening instrument
C. Abdominal palpation
D. Orthostatic blood pressure alone
10. Which symptom in an older adult warrants evaluation for depression?
A. Occasional boredom
B. Persistent loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities
C. Preference for quiet environments
D. Sleeping eight hours nightly
11. Which factor places a frail older adult at greatest risk for adverse outcomes
during acute illness?
, A. Increased physiologic reserve
B. Limited physiologic reserve
C. High muscle mass
D. Regular exercise
12. Which assessment should be included in a comprehensive geriatric evaluation?
A. Only the physical examination
B. Only medication history
C. Physical, cognitive, functional, psychosocial, and environmental domains
D. Only laboratory testing
13. Which finding is most concerning for sarcopenia?
A. Increased muscle strength
B. Reduced muscle mass accompanied by decreased strength or performance
C. Increased appetite
D. Improved balance
14. What is the primary purpose of medication reconciliation in a frail older adult?
A. Increase the number of medications
B. Identify discrepancies, duplications, and potentially harmful medications
C. Eliminate all prescription medications
D. Replace medications with supplements
15. Which finding may indicate dehydration in an older adult?
A. Increased urine output
B. Orthostatic hypotension and concentrated urine
Elders Final Exam 2026/2027 | Walden
University | Latest Comprehensive Practice
Questions & Answers
Questions 1–25: Frailty, Aging, and Comprehensive Assessment
1. Which finding most strongly suggests frailty in an older adult?
A. Stable weight and normal gait
B. Independent performance of all activities
C. Unintentional weight loss, weakness, and reduced physical activity
D. Mild presbyopia
2. Which assessment is most appropriate for evaluating an older adult's functional
status?
A. Serum sodium
B. Activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living
C. Chest circumference
D. Visual acuity alone
3. Which activity is considered an activity of daily living (ADL)?
,A. Managing finances
B. Using public transportation
C. Shopping for groceries
D. Bathing independently
4. Which activity is an instrumental activity of daily living (IADL)?
A. Eating
B. Toileting
C. Managing medications
D. Transferring from bed to chair
5. An older adult reports difficulty rising from a chair without using the arms. What
does this finding most directly suggest?
A. Normal aging only
B. Lower-extremity weakness and increased fall risk
C. Improved mobility
D. Hyperreflexia
6. Which intervention is most appropriate for preventing functional decline in a frail
older adult?
A. Prolonged bed rest
B. Limiting ambulation
C. Individualized strength and balance exercise
D. Avoiding assistive devices
7. Which characteristic is associated with physiologic frailty?
,A. Increased muscle mass
B. Increased physiologic reserve
C. Reduced ability to recover from physiologic stress
D. Improved immune response
8. Which finding should prompt evaluation for possible malnutrition?
A. Stable weight for several years
B. Unintentional weight loss and decreased appetite
C. Increased muscle strength
D. Increased food intake
9. Which screening approach is particularly useful when assessing an older adult for
cognitive impairment?
A. Pulse oximetry
B. A validated cognitive screening instrument
C. Abdominal palpation
D. Orthostatic blood pressure alone
10. Which symptom in an older adult warrants evaluation for depression?
A. Occasional boredom
B. Persistent loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities
C. Preference for quiet environments
D. Sleeping eight hours nightly
11. Which factor places a frail older adult at greatest risk for adverse outcomes
during acute illness?
, A. Increased physiologic reserve
B. Limited physiologic reserve
C. High muscle mass
D. Regular exercise
12. Which assessment should be included in a comprehensive geriatric evaluation?
A. Only the physical examination
B. Only medication history
C. Physical, cognitive, functional, psychosocial, and environmental domains
D. Only laboratory testing
13. Which finding is most concerning for sarcopenia?
A. Increased muscle strength
B. Reduced muscle mass accompanied by decreased strength or performance
C. Increased appetite
D. Improved balance
14. What is the primary purpose of medication reconciliation in a frail older adult?
A. Increase the number of medications
B. Identify discrepancies, duplications, and potentially harmful medications
C. Eliminate all prescription medications
D. Replace medications with supplements
15. Which finding may indicate dehydration in an older adult?
A. Increased urine output
B. Orthostatic hypotension and concentrated urine
